By: Marisa Balanda
Governor Tom Wolf recently signed legislation that delayed the graduation requirement for the Keystone Exam for two years. To learn more about this change, The Broadcaster spoke with Dr. Stacy Winslow, Derry Township School District’s Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, to answer some frequently asked questions.
What changes were announced for the future of the Keystone Exam?
On February 3, 2016, Governor Wolf suspended the graduation requirement for the Keystone Exam for two years. Previously, the class of 2017 (current juniors) was supposed to be the first class to need to score either proficient or advanced to graduate. Now, this requirement has been pushed back and will now take effect with the class of 2019 (current freshmen).
Why were these changes made?
In short, if a student failed the Keystone Exam, they could take it one more time. If they did not pass the second time, they were required to complete a Project Based Assessment (PBA). However, there were many issues with the scoring of this assessment. This problem, in addition to a response to public pushback on standardized testing, caused Wolf to delay the Keystone graduation requirement.
If I am a sophomore in the class of 2018 or a junior in the class of 2017, how will this change affect me?
Even though it was previously a requirement for current sophomores and juniors to receive a passing score on these exams in order to graduate, this requirement has been postponed. Sophomores and juniors will still find their Keystone scores on their transcripts because it is a state regulation. Also, sophomores will still have to take the literature exam this spring even though it will not count as a graduation requirement.
If I am a freshman in the class of 2019, how will this change affect me?
If the current legislation stays in effect, Keystones will again become a graduation requirement for the current freshmen. So, all students, starting with the class of 2019, will need to earn either a proficient or advanced score on the Algebra I, Biology, and Literature Keystone Assessments in order to graduate.
If I am a sophomore or junior and I do not have to pass the Keystones as a graduation requirement, why should I try to do well on these tests?
The scores will still be reported on transcripts, and colleges would rather see students with either a proficient or advanced score rather than a basic or below basic score. Additionally the scores will be used to rate Hershey High School and your teachers.
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